‘Left their mark’: Teens killed in Wise County crash led by example, friends say
Sophia and Nolan Christensen, the teenage siblings killed in a crash with an 18-wheeler Monday morning in Wise County, were leaders among their peers and will be greatly missed, their friends say.
Both young people were heavily involved in their community and church, according to youth pastor Ray Petty of First Baptist Church Decatur.
“They just left their mark on Decatur and Wise County,” Petty told the Star-Telegram in a phone interview Wednesday.
Sophia, 16, and Nolan, 13, were riding in a Ford F-150 near Decatur about 6:40 a.m. Monday. Their 12-year-old sister, Ella Christensen, was in the back seat. The teens were trying to cross U.S. 380 and pulled out in front of a Freightliner that was towing a trailer, Texas Department of Public Safety officials said.
The pickup truck the Christensens were in was T-boned by the 18-wheeler, according to Wise County EMS Chief Randall Preuninger.
Nolan, who was riding in the front seat, died at the scene. Sophia, the driver, died a short time later at Medical City Denton hospital, officials said. Ella was taken to Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth in critical condition. The 33-year-old driver of the Freightliner tractor-trailer was treated for minor injuries, according to police.
Petty said the Christensen family has been devastated by the fatal accident, but are hopeful that Ella will be released from the hospital later this week.
He described Sophia as a sweet girl who loved horses and taking care of animals. She read her Bible every day, Petty said. The 16-year-old was more reserved than her younger brother, but her quiet leadership had a huge impact on those around her.
Nolan was a typical happy-go-lucky 13-year-old, according to Petty. He was a great athlete, and loved to hunt. He had a large group of friends who he hung out with on a regular basis.
Sophia and Nolan were all about helping the people around them get closer to the Lord, Petty said.
“Christ was the center of their lives,” he said. “Jesus was everything.”
Friends of the two teens gathered at First Baptist Church’s Youth Center on Monday night for a time of prayer and to share memories. They talked about Nolan as the light in every room, Petty said. Sophia was remembered for her kindness to those around her.
Kids are saying “live like Sophia,” “live like Nolan,” according to Petty. He believes their impact will continue for years to come.
The Decatur Independent School District board meeting Monday was cut short because of the accident. Board members tabled all but the most critical items on the agenda.
“We lift the family of the impacted students in this tragedy,” said Decatur ISD board trustee Dr. Matt Joiner in the invocation. “We pray for the many friends and classmates, teachers and community members who are impacted. We ask that you wrap them in your love and give them rest in the middle of their grief. Help us to carry one another through the pain we are feeling at this moment.”
Sophia, Nolan and Ella all have attended Decatur ISD schools.
The district called the teens’ deaths “heartbreaking” in a Facebook post Tuesday.
“To Nolan and Sophia, who were called by their friends as lights shining bright with God’s love — we love you and we miss you,” the post reads. “Your faith has inspired us and you will always be in our hearts.”
A GoFundMe has been set up to help the Christensen family.
Staff writer Fousia Abdullahi contributed to this report.
This story was originally published June 18, 2025 at 7:04 PM.
